NEWS RELEASE | FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | December 1, 2020
Statewide Snowmobile Trails Open with an Exciting New Opportunity
The North Dakota Parks & Recreation Department announces the opening of the snowmobile season starting December 1. North Dakota offers 2,800 miles of riding trails on 13 different trail networks across the state, which will be open starting in December for riders to enjoy once snow conditions are desirable. An additional 143 miles of trail has been added in McLean and Ward Counties for this year.
“We are excited to kick off another great season of winter recreation in North Dakota. Snowmobiling is a great way to explore North Dakota from a different perspective,” stated Andrea Travnicek, North Dakota Parks & Recreation Director.
As the snowmobile season kicks off, the Department is implementing new virtual safety classes. Dates and an online registration form for the free virtual classes have been posted on www.parkrec.nd.gov, and anyone who wishes to learn more about snowmobile safety is encouraged to attend.
The Department, in partnership with Snowmobile North Dakota, has also been working on updating trail signage. Snowmobile North Dakota will continue to provide riders with digital trail maps and updated grooming information on their website.
This year, a new winter recreational opportunity will be offered with the opening of the Missouri Valley Snowmobile Trail to tracked off-highway vehicles (OHV) as part of a pilot project. The Missouri Valley Snowmobile Trail runs from south of Wilton to Bismarck and then southeast to Zeeland, totaling 129 miles.
"The Department is pleased to announce the Missouri Valley Snowmobile Trail's opening to tracked OHVs for this pilot program during the upcoming riding season," stated Anton Hillig, Motorized Recreation Coordinator. "We hope tracked OHV riders enjoy the opportunity to Ride ND First, and we look forward to sharing our trails with you."
Riders who have a registered tracked OHV and liability insurance are welcome to traffic the Missouri Valley Snowmobile trail from December 1, 2020 through April 1, 2021. The purpose of the test is to determine the feasibility of opening additional snowmobile trails to tracked OHV use during the winter seasons, further expanding the state’s recreational offerings.
More information on the statewide snowmobile program can be found at www.parkrec.nd.gov.
The mission of the North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department is to offer a diversity of recreation opportunities and sustainably manage resources.
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For More Information Contact:
Anton Hillig at ahillig@nd.gov
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Doug Burgum, Governor
Andrea Travnicek, Ph.D., Parks & Recreation Director
Century Center | 1600 E. Century Ave. Suite 3 | Bismarck, ND 58503
PHONE: (701) 328-5357 | FAX: (701) 328-5363 | E-MAIL: parkrec@nd.gov
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